Stack mechanism for book components



June 26. 1956 c. SCHRAMM STACK MECHANISM FOR BOOK COMPONENTS 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed July 8, 1947 INVENTOR CARL SCHRAMM BY J ii (012M211 a Um June 26, 1956 c. SCHRAMM 2,752,153

STACK MECHANISM FOR BOOK COMPONENTS Original Filed July 8, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 i- 2 6 3e I 22 INVENTOR CARL SCHRAMM June 26, 1956 c. SCHRAMM 2,752,153

STACK MECHANISM FOR BOOK COMPONENTS Original Filed July 8, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR CARL S C HRA MM A ORNEY June 26, 1956 c. SCHRAMM 2,752,153

STACK MECHANISM FOR BOOK COMPONENTS Original Filed July 8, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 2% L wz 2% INVENTOR CARL SCHRAMM BY xf- MMM/ ORNEY June 26, 1956 c. SCHRAMM 2,752,153

STACK MECHANISM FOR BOOK COMPONENTS Original Filed July 8, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR CARL S C HRA MM BY 1. W54

R'NEY June 26, 1956 c. SCHRAMM STACK MECHANISM FOR BOOK COMPONENTS 6 Sheets-She et 6 Original Filed July 8, 1947 INVENTOR CARL SCHRAMM ORNEY United States Patent 2,752,153 STACK MECHANISM FOR BOOK COMPONENTS Carl Schramm, North Coventry, Conn., assignor to The Smyth Manufacturing Company, Hartford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Original application July 8, 1947, Serial No. 764,236.

Divided and this application November 17, 1950, Serial No. 196,170

23 Claims. (Cl. 271-62) The general object of the present invention is to provide an improved stack mechanism adapted to hold a stack of sheets or book components and adapted to supply successive sheets or components to a proper position for transfer therefrom without interruptions due to the replenishment of the stack of such components.

The drawings show two stack mechanisms embodying the invention incorporated in and forming parts of a machine for pasting and assembling components of books, more particularly signatures and end sheets. The present invention is limited to the stack mechanisms, and other features of the disclosed machine are set forth and claimed in my copending application for Machine for Assembling Book Components, Serial No. 195,888, filed November 15, 1950, now U. S. Patent No. 2,692,136, which is a continuation-in-part of my now abandoned similarly entitled application, Serial No. 764,236, filed July 28, 1947, of which last said application the present application is a division.

in the drawings I have shown in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention, but it will be understood that various changes may be made from the construction shown, and that the drawings are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a front view of a machine embodying the invention, this view omitting certain parts, more particularly longitudinal shafts and associated parts in the intenor.

Fig. 2 is a right end view with certain details of the stack mechanism omitted.

Fig. 3 is a left end view with certain details of the stack mechanism omitted.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged front view of the right stack mechanism taken in the direction of the arrows 4, 4 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 66 of Fig. 4 but showing the parts in different relative positions.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the stack mechanism shown in Fig. 4, this view being taken in the direction of the arrows 7, 7 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken along the line 38 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view taken along the line 9--9 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary front view of the operating and controlling mechanism for the stack mechanism shown in Figs. 4 and 7.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view taken along the line 1-1-11 of Fig. 1, but with various parts omitted.

General organization Referring particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the machine comprises a base: 10 on which is mounted a main frame-- 2,752,153 Patented June 26, 1956 work which may be variously constructed, but which as shown comprises three upright transverse plates 12, 14 and 16 spaced apart longitudinally and connected by longitudinal bars 18, 20, 22 and 23. Supported on the main framework are two stack mechanisms 24 and 26. These stack mechanisms may be identical in construction and are so shown. Each stack mechanism is adapted to support a stack A of sheets or hook components. For instance, the right stack mechanism 24 may support a stack of book signatures, and the left stack mechanism 26 may support a stack of folded end sheets to be assembled with the signatures. The terms book component or componen wil be used as generic terms to include either a signature or an end sheet.

Each stack mechanisms is preferably provided with means serving to maintain the top of the stack substantially at a predetermined level so that single components can conveniently be withdrawn successively therefrom at the rear. Preferably, each stack mechanism 24 and 26 is inclined rearward at asubstantial angle partly to assure the uniform positioning of the stack therein and partly to facilitate the withdrawal of successive components from the top of the stack.

Associated with the respective stack mechanisms are two similar mechanisms for withdrawing successive components from the tops of the stacks and for transferring the said components rearward and downward. The said mechanisms are indicated generally in Fig. 2. Each transfer mechanism includes a device generally indicated at 32 for engaging and gripping a component at the top of the corresponding stack, the gripping .device of each mechanism being reciprocated during each cycle in a path extending downward and rearward from the top of the stack. The components withdrawn from the stacks by the said transfer mechanisms are deposited respectively on shelves 34 and 36 which are at different levels, the upper shelf 36 being much shorter than the lower shelf 34. The two components on the said shelves are initially spaced apart longitudinally. One of the components is preferably pasted along a zone adjacent one edge thereof by means of a suitable pasting device. By means of a mechanism generally indicated at 38, one of the components is moved longitudinally along the lower shelf toward the left until it is brought into face-to-face register with the other component on the shorter upper shelf and thereafter both components are moved in unison toward the left. The component on the upper shelf moves off from the said shelf into engagement with the component on the lower shelf, and adherence is eifected along the zone of pasting. The assembled components may be pressed to cause more effective adherence at the said zone of pasting and thereafter the assembled and pasted components are delivered onto a conveyor belt 40 at the left which carries them forward toward the frontof the machine.

Mounted in suitable hearings in the main frame is a longitudinal drive shaft 42 carrying a belt pulley 44. A belt 46 passes over the pulley 44 and also over a pulley 48 on a motor 50. The pulley 44 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 42 and may be connected therewith by a clutch 52 operable by means of a hand lever 54' or a foot treadle 56. Mounted on the drive shaft 42- is a pinion 58 meshing with an idler gear 60 which in" turn meshes with a gear 62 on a longitudinal main shaft 64 mounted in suitable hearings in the main frame. The timing is such that the shaft- 64 makes one complete'revo= lution for each cycle of the machine. A hand wheel 65 may be provided on the shaft 42 for manually operating the machine during set-up and adjustment.

"ice

Stack mechanisms As stated at the outset, book components are successively removed from the tops of the stacks A in both stack mechanisms 24 and 26, thus tending to lower the levels of the tops of the stacks, which levels are restored from time to time by the mechanisms to be described.

' Each stack mechanism comprises a plurality of carrying means located at different levels and movable upward between common lower and upper limits. Continually operable mechanism is provided for slowly moving the carrying means upward at the same speed, the said moving mechanism preferably including endless chains. There are two similar stack supporting plates which are superposed'and interchangeable, each plate being engageable with one of the carrying means to be moved upward thereby. Two stacks of similar sheets or book components are placed on the respective plates. A suitable means is ordinarily provided for withdrawing successive sheets or components from the top of the upper stack, and the mechanism for slowly moving the carrying means is so controlled automatically that the top of the upper stack'is maintained substantially at a predetermined level. When the upper stack has been partly depleted, the carrying means for the lower plate supporting the lower stack is moved relatively rapidly upward to move the said lower plate to a position wherein the top of the lower stack is substantially in engagement with the bottom of the upper plate. In this position the upper plate is then withdrawn transversely from its carrying means and from beneath its stack. The two stacks are thus united and upward movement of the united stack is efiected by slow movement of the lower plate. The plate that was the upper'plate is placed below the stack carrying plate where itis engaged by another upward moving carrying means. Another stack is placed on the plate which was the upper plate and is now the lower plate and the procedure above described is repeated.

Preferably, each carrying means comprises a pair of carriers spaced apart to be engaged by the lateral edges of the plates, and these carriers may conveniently be actuated by pairs of interconnected power driven endless chains. The several carrying means or pairs of carriers are preferably arranged in groups, with those in each group alternately disposed with respect to those in the other group. When chains are provided for moving the pairs of carriers, those of one group are connected with one pair of chains and those of the other group are connected with the other pair of chains. Either pair of chains may be advanced relatively to the other to efiect movement of the carriers connected therewith and to thereby effect the upward movement of the lower plate with its stack. When the upper plate is withdrawn from its pair of carriers it is engaged with another pair of carriers in the same group.

The two stack mechanisms 24 and 26 may be identical in construction as already stated, and a detailed description of one of them will be sufiicient. The description may be regarded as applying particularly to the stack mechanism 24 at the right. As already stated, the stack mechanisms are preferably positioned at a substantial angle, but such positioning is not in all instances essential. Therefore, such terms as vertical and horizontal will for the sake of convenience be used in describing the inclined parts.

For a' more detailed description reference will be had particularly to'Figs. 4 to 9. Each stack mechanism comprises two frame elements 66 and 68 secured to the longitudinal bars 18 and 20 of the main frame. Carried by the frame element 66 and respectively located near thetop and the bottom thereof are transverse shafts 70 and 72 Carried by the upper shaft 70 and spaced there along are four similar sprocket wheels 74, 76, 78 and 80. All of the said sprocket wheels may be rotatable relatively to the shaft. Carried by the lower shaft 72 and similarly spaced therealong are four sprocket wheels 82, 84, 86 and 88, as shown in Fig. 5. Endless chains 90,

4 92, 94 and 96 extend over the respective pairs of sprocket wheels 7482, 76-84, 7886 and 8088.

As shown in Fig. 9, the shaft 72 can be intermittently rotated in the clockwise direction by means of a bevel gear 98 at the rear end thereof which meshes with a bevel gear 100 on a longitudinal shaft 102 supported in a bracket 104 secured to the frame 66. The shaft 102 carries a worm wheel 106, shown in Figs. 5 and 8, which meshes with a worm 108 mounted at the rear end of a transverse horizontal shaft 110 extending forward to the front of the machine. The shaft 110 is intermittently rotated by mechanism to be presently described and it will be seen that intermittent rotation of the shaft 110 causes intermittent rotation of the shaft 72 Two of the sprocket wheels 82, 84, 86 and 88, as for instance the sprocket wheels 82 and 86, are rigidly connected with the shaft 72 and therefore intermittent movement of the shaft 72 causes intermittent movement of the corresponding chains 90 and.94.

Mounted in the frame element 66 immediately above the shaft '72 is a rotatable shaft 112. As shown in Fig. 9, the shaft 112 can be intermittently rotated in the counterclockwise direction by means of a bevel gear 114 at the rear end thereof which meshes with a bevel gear 116 on a longitudinal shaft 118 supported in the aforesaid bracket 104. The shaft 118 carries a worm wheel 120 shown in Figs. 5 and 8, which meshes with a worm 122 mounted at the rear end of a transverse horizontal shaft 124 extending forward to the front of the machine. The shaft 124 is intermittently rotated by mechanism to be presently described, and it will be seen that intermittent rotation of the shaft 124 causes intermittent rotation of the shaft 112. The sprockets 84 and 88 are not rigidly connected with the shaft 72 but are rotatable thereon. Connected respectively with the sprockets 84 and 88 are gears 126 and 128 which mesh respectively with gears 130 and 132 secured to the shaft 112. When the shaft 112 is intermittently rotated as already stated, the sprockets 84 and 88 and the corresponding chains 92 and 96 are intermittently operated in the same directions as the chains 90 and 94. However, the two chains 92 and 96 do not necessary always move in unison with the chains 90 and 94, the respective pairs of chains being actuated by the said separate shafts 124 and 110 either of which may be moved independently as will presently appear.

The frame element 68 carries shafts 134, 136 and 138 which are similar respectively to the shafts 70, 72 and 112. Sprocket wheels similar to those on the shafts 70 and 72 are carried by the shafts 134 and 136 and are similarly related thereto. The lower inner sprocket wheel is indicated at 140 in Fig. 8. One of the gears for driving the sprocket wheel 140 is shown at 142 in the same figure. These several sprocket wheels are spaced and driven similarly to those on the shafts 70 and 72. Extending over the sprocket wheels are chains 144, 146, 148 and which are similar to the chains 90, 92, 94 and 96. The chains 144 and 148 are rotated in accordance with the rotation of the shaft 136, and the chains 146 and 150 are rotated in accordance with the rotation of the shaft 138. The shaft 138 is intermittently rotated in unison with the shaft 112 but in the opposite direction. To this end the before-mentioned shaft 118 is extended toward the left, as shown in Fig. 8, being supported near its left end by a bracket 151 on the frame element 68. Secured to the shaft 118 at the left end thereof is a bevel gear 152 which meshes with a bevel gear 153 at the rear end of the shaft 138. The shaft 136 is similarly driven in unison with the shaft 72 but in the opposite direction. To this end the shaft 102- is extended toward the left and is also supported near its left end in'the said bracket 151. The left portion of the said shaft 102 isimmediately below the shaft 118, as viewed in Fig. 8, and therefore is not seen. The shaft 102 is connected at its left end with the rear end of the shaft 136 by means of bevel gears similar to the bevel gears 152 and 153. The said gears connecting the shafts 102 and 136 are immediately below the gears 152 and 153, as viewed in Fig. 8, and therefore, are not seen.

Each of the interconnected chains 90, 144, 92 and 148 carries a plurality of uniformly spaced lugs 154, 154, and as shown there are two such lugs on each chain. These lugs are so arranged that four lugs of one set are always at the same level and that the four lugs of the other set are always at the same level. Preferably, each two lugs 154, 154 at each side are connected by a transverse carrier bar 156. The carriers 156, 156 of each pair are at the same level, and the two carriers constitute a carrying means for one of the before-mentioned stack plates.

Each of the interconnected chains 92, 146, 94 and 150 carries a plurality of uniformly spaced lugs 158, 158 which are similar to the lugs 154, 154. The number of lugs 158, 158 is the same as the number of lugs 154, 154 on the other chains. The lugs 158, 158 are so arranged that the four lugs of one set are always at the same level and that the four lugs of the other set are always at the same level. Each two lugs 15.8, 158 at each side are connected by a transverse carrier bar 160. The carriers 160, 160 of each pair are at the same level, and the two carriers constitute a carrying means for one of the beforementioned stack plates.

The carriers 156, 156 constitute one group and the carriers 160, 160 constitute another group. The carriers in thetwo groups are alternately disposed. The levels of the carriers in the two groups may be changed in relation to each other, as will be described.

Two stack supporting plates, 162 and 163 are provided, one being supported or adapted to be supported by one of the pairs of carriers 156, 156 on one set of interconnected chains, and the other being supported or adapted to be supported on one of the pairs of carriers. 160, 160 on the other set of interconnected chains. As already stated, all of the chains are normally moved in unison and when they are so moved and when both stack plates are engaged by a pair of carriers, the two stack plates are moved upward in unison. Each plate when uppermost can be manually withdrawn transversely from its carriers. Preferably, each stack plate 162 and 163 has transversely extending reenforcing bars 164, 164 at the. bottom. Each plate preferably has a downward extending flange 166 at the front to facilitate manual engagement for transverse withdrawal.

Fig. 4 shows a stack A of book components supported on the upper stack plate, which is shown as being the plate 162, this being supported on a pair of carriers 156, 156 on the interconnected chains 90, 94, 144 and 148. There is also. shown a stack B of similar book components supported on the lower stack plate, which is shown as being the plate 163 adapted to be supported on a pair of carriers 160, 160 on the other interconnected chains 92, 96, 146 and 150. The stacks A and B engage at the rear with rearward inclined guide rails 168 and 170 which are supported on the longitudinal bars 18 and 28. Preferably, the guide rail 168 has a forward extending flange with which the corresponding ends of the stacks engage. The downward inclination of the stack plates 162 and 163 and the rearward inclination of the guide rails 168 and 170 serve to prevent deformation of the. stacks A and B, inasmuch as gravity tends to move the stack components rearward. The rails 168 and 170 are preferably adjustable, longitudinally along the bars 18 and so as to be adapted to engage and guide stacks of difierent lengths.

By means of mechanism to be presently described, the movements of the chains and supporting bars of each stack mechanism are so regulated that the top of, the stack A is always maintained substantially at a predetermined level which is slightly below the tops of the guide rails 163. and 170. Preferably, retaining means are provided for engaging the upper portion of the stack at the top 6 and at the front to prevent any possible upward or forward movements of the book components constituting the said upper portion, andfor other purposes to be set forth. Carried by the frame elements 66 and 68 at the tops thereof are transverse rails 172, 172 provided with T-slots therein. Adjustable along the said rails are blocks 174, 174, these blocks being held in adjusted positions by means of headed bolts 176, 176 entering the T-slots. Arms 178, 178 are connected with the blocks 174, 174 for pivotal movement about axes at 179, 179. The arms 178, 178 extend downward and inward and respectively carry at their lower ends normally horizontal longitudinally slotted bars 180, 180. Secured to the slotted bars 180, 180 are blocks 182, 182 which are adjustable therealong, being held in adjusted position by bolts 18%, 184. Each block 182 carries a rearward projecting member 186 which is preferably cylindrical and which is positioned to engage the top of the stack A. Extending through each member 186 is a bar 188 which is positioned to engage the upper portion of the front of the stack A. Each bar 188 is longitudinally slotted, as shown in Fig. 6, and a screw 190 is provided which extends through the slot. The bar 188 is vertically movable to the extent permitted by the. length of the slot therein. Ordinarily, each bar 183 is in the relative position shown in Fig. 6, but it is movable upward from the said position and relatively to the corresponding member 186 if and when it is engaged by one of the stack plates 162 or 163.

The two members 186, 186 rest on the top of the stack A and are vertically movable in accordance with minor variations in the level of the top of the stack. They apply pressure to the top of the stack near the front thereof and offer frictional resistance to the withdrawal of the successive book components therefrom. The bars 188, 188 prevent any forward movement of the upper portion of the stack A.

It'will be seen that by means of the blocks 174, 174, the members 186, 186. and the bars 188, 188 can be adjusted forward or rearward in accordance with the width of the stack A. The said members 186, 186 and the said bars 188, 188 can be adjusted longitudinally along the bars 188, 180 in accordance. with the length of the stack.

Control for stack mechanisms Two similar mechanisms are provided for controlling the respective stack mechanisms, that at the right for the stack mechanism 24 being shown in detail in Figs. 10 and 11. The controlling mechanism is carried by a plate 192 which is secured to the left side of the adjacent transverse frame plate, as for instance the frame plate 12, by means of screws 193. The before-mentioned shafts 110 and 124 extend through the said plate 192 and have bearingstherein. Secured to the front ends of the shafts 110 and 124 are hand. wheels 194 and 196, these hand wheels being indicated in Fig. 10 merely by dot-and-dash lines.

Secured to the shaft 110 adjacent the plate 192 is a ratchet wheel 197. Mounted on the shaft 110 is a rock lever 198 carrying a spring-pressed pawl 199 which engages the ratchet wheel 197. By means of a spring 200 the rock lever 198 is biased for movement in the counterclockwise direction, such movement being limited by an adjustable stop in the form of a screw 201. Secured to the shaft 124 adjacent the plate 192 is a ratchet wheel 202. Mounted on the shaft 110 is a rock lever 203 carrying a spring-pressed pawl 204 which engages the ratchet wheel 202. The two rock levers 198 and 203 are provided respectively with downward extending arms which are connected by means of a link 205. It will be seen that the rock levers 198 and 203 are movable in unison and that when they are moved in the clockwise direction, the two pawls 199 and 204 serve to turn the shafts 110 and 124 in unison in the clockwise direction.

The rock lever 198 has an arm with a lug. 206 thereon which is norm-ally engaged by the upper arm. of a bell crank 208. The bell crank 208 is spring-pressed in the clockwise direction so that the said upper arm thereof is normally in the path of the lug 206. A transverse horizontal rockshaft 210 is provided which at its front end carries an upward extending arm 212. A link 214 is pivotally connected at the upper end of the arm 212 and this link is provided with a longitudinal slot into which projects a stud 216 on an arm of the rock lever 198'. The shaft 210 and the link 214 are oscillated but the amplitude of oscillation is such that the rock lever 198 is not normally moved, the slotted portion of the link 214 merely moving with respect to the stud 216 without imparting any movement to the latter. As shown in Fig. 11, the rockshaft 210 is connected by bevel gears 218 and 220 with a longitudinal shaft 222, which is omitted in Fig. 1 in order that other parts may more clearly appear. The shaft 222 carries an arm 224 having a roller 226 thereon which engages a cam groove 228 in a cam 230 on the main shaft 64. It will be seen that as the cam 230 is rotated, the arm 224 is oscillated, thus imparting oscillation to the shaft 210 and the arm 212. The shaft 222 is extended toward the left, and it is similarly connected with the shaft 210 of the mechanism at the left for controlling the left stack mechanism 26.

' As shown more clearly in Fig. 7, a bracket 232 is mounted on the bar 20 adjacent the top of the corresponding stack. This bracket carries a short longitudinal rockshaft 234 to which is secured a forward extending lever 236. The lever 236 carries a stud 238 which projects between two collars 240 and 242 on a rod 244 extending parallelly with the stack mechanism. The rod 244 is reciprocable, being guided by bearings 246 and 248 on the bars 20 and 18. The rockshaft 234 has secured to it a finger 250 which is so shaped and positioned that its forward end is adapted to engage the top of the stack A, as shown in Figs. 4 and 11. The shaft 234 and the parts carried thereby are biased, by a spring or otherwise, so that the shaft tends to move in the counterclockwise direction, the finger 250 and the rod 244 tending to move downward. The aforesaid movement of the parts is limited by the engagement of the end of the finger 250 with the top of the stack A.

Suitably mounted in the machine adjacent the cam 230 is a short longitudinal rockshaft 252. This shaft carries an arm 254 having a roller 256.which engages a cam groove 258 in the said cam 230. Also carried by the rockshaft 252 is a lever 260 which extends forward and upward. The lever 260 is provided at its front end with a stud 262 which is positioned to engage the lower side of a collar 264 secured to the reciprocable rod 244. It will be seen that when the cam 230 is rotated, the rockshaft 252 is oscillated, the lever 260 oscillating therewith. By reason of the stud 262 and the collar 264, the lever 260 serves to oscillate the rod 244, moving it upward from the position shown in Fig. 11 and thus swinging the finger 250 upward approximately to the position shown by dotted lines. As the rod 244 again moves downward, the finger 250 moves downward until it engages the top of the stack and further movement is thus prevented. If the top of the stack is at the normal position, the parts are returned to the positions shown in Fig. 11. However, if the top of the stack is below its normal position, the parts move beyond the positions shown in Fig. 11. The shape of the cam groove 258 is such that the finger 250 is only momentarily engaged with the stack, the finger being held in its upper position during the major portion of the cycle.

A rock lever 266 is provided, this being mounted for oscillation about a longitudinal stud 268. The lever is biased for movement in the counterclockwise direction. The rear end of the lever 266 carries an adjustable screw 272 which is adapted to be engaged by the lower end of the rod 244. The front end of the lever 266 is provided with an adjustable screw 274, the upper end of which abuts against the horizontal arm of the bell crank 208, as shown 8 in Fig. 10. A spring 275 holds the horizontal arm of the bell crank 208 in engagement with the screw 274.

The relationship of the parts, as shown in Fig. 11, is such that the collar 264 does not engage the stud 262 when the lever 260 is in its lower position and'when the top of the stack A is at its normal level. The rod 244 in moving downward does not normally engage the screw 272 to move the lever 266. However, when the top of the stack is lowered below its normal level, the rod 244 moves downward to an extent greater than normal, and in so moving, it engages the screw 272' to move the rock lever 266 in the clockwise direction. The front end of the lever 266 then moves'upward and the screw 274 thereon moves the lower arm of the bell crank'208 in'the counterclockwise direction sufiiciently to disengage the upper end of the said bell crank from the lug 206. Whenthis occurs the spring 200 moves the rock levers 198'and 203 in the counterclockwise direction, such movement being limited by the stop screw 201as already stated. Upon the next following movement of the link 214 toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 10, the rock levers 198 and 203 are moved in the clockwise direction and restored to the positions shown in Fig. 10. In so moving, the pawl 199 engages the ratchet wheel 197 to turn the shaft and the pawl 204 engages the ratchet Wheel 202 to turn the shaft 124. By means of the mechanisms which have already been described, the shafts 110 and 124 operate all of the chains so as to cause upward movement of the two pairs of carrier bars 156, 156 and 160, 160 which are or may be in engagement'with the stack plates 162 and 163. As shown in Fig. 4, the upper plate 162 is supported by the carrier bars 156, 156 and therefore the said plate 162 moves the upper stack A upward and tends to restore the top thereof to its normal level.

When the lever 266 moves in the counterclockwise direction by reason of its spring-bias, the bell crank 208 is released, and at the end of the clockwise movement of the rock lever 198 the bell crank returns to the position shown in Fig. 10 so as to again obstruct the lug 206. If a single movement of the ratchet wheels is suflicient to restore the stack A to its normal level, the next downward movement of the rod 244 does not actuate the lever 266 and the upper arm of the bell crank 208 remains in obstructing relationship with the lug 206. However, if the top of the stack A is still below its normal level, the operation above-described is repeated until the said normal level is restored.

It will be understood that the control mechanism as described for the stack mechanism 24 is duplicated for the stack mechanism 26. The several parts of the duplicate control mechanism are operated by the said rockshafts 222 and 252.

Reference has already been made to the stack B which is supported on the lower stack plate and which consists of book components which are similar to those in the stack A. The lower stack plate is shown as being the plate 163, and this lower plate may be initially supported on stationary inclined brackets 276, 276, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. While the components are being withdrawn from the top of the stack A, and while the plate 162 is being moved intermittently upward by the carriers 156, 156, the operator places a stack B on the lower plate 163. For the convenience of the operator in handling the stack B, the machine is preferably provided at the front with a shelf 278 which is supported on the brackets 276, 276 and can be used for jogging the components of the stack B to bring them into proper register with each other. After the components which are to constitute the stack B have been thus jogged and registered, they are placed on the plate 163, as shown in Fig. 4.

Continued movement of the chains causes the next following pair of carriers 160, 160 on the other set of interconnected chains to pick up the plate 163 from the brackets 276, 276, this plate being then moved intermittently upward at the same rate as the plate 162. When the stack A has been reduced in height to such arr extent that the supporting plate therefor is in engagement with the bars 188, 188, as shown in Fig. 6, the plate 163 with the stack B thereon is moved rapidly upward so as to bring the top of the stack B into engagement with the bottom of the top plate 162. This rapid upward movement is effected manually by one or the other of the hand wheels 194 and 196. The said hand wheels and the parts connected therewith constitute selectively operable mechanism for effecting relatively rapid upward independent movement of whichever carrying means or pair of carriers is engaged by the lower stack plate. It will be clear from Fig. 10 that either shaft 110 or 124 can be freely moved by its hand wheel in the clockwise direc tion, the corresponding ratchet wheel merely moving past the corresponding pawl. When either hand wheel is turned, the chains of the corresponding set are advanced to effect upward movement of the carriersengaged with the lower plate. As shown, the carriers 160, 160 engaging the plate 163 are so moved by the hand wheel 194. The pawl and the ratchet wheel hold the carriers and the plate in the positions to which they are moved, retrograde movement being prevented by the worm gearing 106, 103 and 129, 122. As soon as the bottom stack B has been brought into engagement with the bottom of the top stack plate 162, as shown in Fig. 6, the said top plate 162 is manually withdrawn from its carriers 156, 156 in the forward direction, thus uniting the two stacks A and B. The rods 188, 188 prevent any forward movement of the lower portion of the stack A as the plate 162 is withdrawn. Furthermore, the members 186, 186 which are in engagement with the top of the stack, tend to prevent any upward movement of the supporting plate as it is withdrawn. As already stated, the carrier bars for the two stack plates always move in unison, except during the aforesaid manual movement of the lower plate. Therefore, the two plates and the two stacks move upward in unison after the said rapid upward movement of the lower plate and the lower stack, and they are maintained in fixed relationship even if there should be some slight delay on the part of the operator in withdrawing the upper plate.

The withdrawal of the upper plate 162 serves to slightly lower the top of the stack, but it is not lowered sufliciently to interfere with the continued removal of book components from the top thereof. Furthermore, the level of the top of the stack is promptly restored by means of the mechanism for that purpose which has already been described.

The plate 162 which has been withdrawn as above stated, is thereupon placed on the brackets 276, 276 as shown in Fig. 4, and a new stack B is put in place on the lower plate which is now the plate 162 and not the plate 163. The plate 162 is lifted from the brackets 276, 276 by the next following pair of carriers 156, 156. When the new stack A, now on the plate 163, has been sufficiently reduced in height, the procedure previously described is repeated, the plate 162 again becoming the upper plate and the plate 163 again becoming the lower plate.

It will be understood that the stack plate 162 is always supported and moved by the pairs of carriers 156, 156 of one set and that the other plate 163 is always supported and moved by the pairs of carriers 160, 160 of the other set. The said sets of carriers are moved respectively by the different sets of interconnected chains, one set of chains being operable by the hand wheel 194 and the other set of chains being operable by the hand wheel 196. It is therefore necessary for the operator to effect the rapid upward movement of the successive lower plates, first by means of one of the hand wheels, and then by means of the other of the hand wheels. To assist the operator in selecting the proper hand wheel to be turned, the two stack plates 1 62 and 163 may be difierentiated, as by having the front flanges 166 thereof 10 provided with different colors. The hand wheels 194and 196 may be similarly designated or, colored. For instance, if the flanges of the plates 162 and 163 are respectively colored redand blue, the hand wheels 196' and 194 would be similarly colored red and blue. When the blue plate 163 is at the bottom, as shown in Fig. 4, the operator can effect the rapid raising thereof by turning the blue hand wheel, that is, the hand wheel 194. When the red supporting plate 162 is at the bottom, the operator can effect the rapid raising thereof by turning the red hand wheel, that is, the hand wheel 196.

What I claim is:

1. In a stack mechanism for sheets or book components, the combination of two similar endless chains having adjacent parallel vertically extending upwardly movable portions, supporting means connected respectively with the two chains and each movable in an endless path, mechanism connected with both chains and normally con tinually operable for slowly moving both of them at the same speed and in the direction for moving the said vertically extending portions thereof upward, two similar stack plates simultaneously engageable in superposed positions with two supporting means respectively on the vertically extending portions of the two chains and movable upward by the said two supporting means between common lower and upper limits, the said stack plates being adapted to support two stacks of similar sheets or components and the said plates being constructed to enable the uppermost plate to be manually withdrawn horizontally from its stack and from the corresponding supporting means, and chain moving mechanism supplemental to the first said chain moving mechanism for effecting relatively rapid independent movement in the same direction of the chain having its supporting means engaged by the lower stack plate so as to independently move the said lower stack plate rapidly upward to bring the stack thereon substantially into engagement with the bottom of the slowly moving upper stack plate whereby the said upper stack plate may be then withdrawn to enable both stacks to be supported by and to be slowly moved upward by the remaining stack plate.

2. In a stack mechanism for sheets or book components, the combination of two similar endless chains having adjacent parallel vertically extending upwardly movable portions, supporting means connected respectively with the two chains and each movable in an endless path,- mechanism connected with both chains and normally continually operable for slowly moving both of them at the. same speed and in the direction for moving the said vertically extending portions thereof upward, two similar stack plates simultaneously engageable in superposed positions with two supporting means respectively on the vertically extending portions of the two chains and movable upward by the said two supporting means between common lower and upper limits, the said stack plates being adapted to support two stacks of similar sheets or components and the said plates being constructed to enable whichever plate is uppermostto be manually withdrawn horizontally from its stack and from the corresponding supporting means, and chain mechanism supplemental to the first said chain moving mechanism and selectively operable for effecting relatively rapid independent movement in the same direction of whichever chain has its supporting means engaged by the lower stack plate so as to independently move the said lower stack plate rapidly upward to bring the stack thereon substantially into engagement with the bottom of the slowly moving upper stack plate whereby the said upper stack plate may be then withdrawn to enable both stacks to be supported by and to be slowly moved upward by the remaining stack plate.

3. In a stack mechanism for sheets or book components, the combination of'two similar endless chainshaving adjacent parallel vertically extending upwardly movable portions, supporting means connected respectively I 11 with the two chains and each movable in an endless, path, mechanism connected with both chains and normally continually operable for slowly moving both of them at the same speed and in the direction for moving the said vertically extending portions thereof upward, two similar stack plates simultaneously engageable in superposed positions with two supporting means respectively on the vertically extending portions of the two chains and movable upward by the said two supporting means between common lower and upper limits, the said stack plates being adapted to support two stacks of similar sheets or components and the said plates being constructed to en able whichever plate is uppermost to be manually withdrawn horizontally from its stack and from the corresponding supporting means, regulating means cooperating with the top of the upper stack for controlling the operation of the said moving mechanism so as to maintain the top of the said stack substantially at a predetermined level as successive sheets or components are withdrawn therefrom, and chain moving mechanism supplemental to the first said chain moving mechanism and selectively operable for eifecting relatively rapid independent movement in the same direction of whichever chain has its supporting means engaged by the lower stack plate so as to independently move the said lower stack plate rapidly upward to bring the stack thereon substantially into engagement with the bottom of the slowly moving upper stack plate whereby the said upper stack plate may be then withdrawn to enable both stacks to be supported by and to be slowly moved upward by the remaining stack plate under the control of the said regulating means by reason of its cooperation with the top of the united stack.

4. In a stack mechanism for sheets or book components, the combination of two similar endless chains having adjacent parallel vertically extending upwardly movable portions, supporting means connected respectively with the two chains and each movable in an endless path, mechanism connected with both chains and normally continually operable for slowly moving both of them at the same speed and in the direction for moving the said vertically extending portions thereof upward, two similiar stack plates simultaneously engageable in superposed positions with two supporting means respectively on the vertically extending portions of the two chains and movable upward by the two said supporting means between common lower and upper limits, the said stack plates being adapted to support two stacks of similar sheets or components and the said plates being constructed to enable whichever plate is uppermost to be manually withdrawn horizontally from its stack and from the supporting means on the corresponding chain and transferred to a lower position for engagement by supporting means on the other chain, and chain moving mechanism supplemental to the first said chain moving mechanism and selectively operable for effecting relatively rapid independent movement in the same direction of whichever chain has its supporting means engaged by the lower stack plate so as to independently move the said lower stack plate rapidly upward to bring the stack thereon substantially into engagement with the bottom of the slowly moving upper stack plate whereby the said upper stack plate may be then withdrawn to enable both stacks to be supported by and to be slowly moved upward by the remaining stack plate and whereby the said withdrawn plate may be transferred to the aforesaid lower position to become the lower plate.

5. A stack mechanism as set forth in claim 4, wherein a fixed support is provided for receiving and holding the withdrawn and transferred plate in a fixed position for subsequent engagement by carrying means on the corresponding chain.

6. A stack mechanism as set forth in claim 5, wherein the selectively operable supplemental chain moving mechanism is constructed and adapted to first move the selected chain so as to engage a carrying means thereon with a stack plate on the fixed support and to then additionally move the said chain to move the last said plate and its stack rapidly upward as aforesaid.

7. In a stack mechanism for sheets or book components, the combination of a plurality of carrying means at different levels, means for moving all of the carrying means upward, a stack plate adapted to support a stack of sheets or components and engageable with one of the carrying means so that it and its stack are moved upward thereby, the said plate being adapted to be manually withdrawn transversely from its said carrying means and from beneath the stack, a second stack plate below the first said stack plate and adapted to support a second stack of sheets or components similar to the first said sheets or components, the said second stack plate being movable relatively rapidly upward to a position wherein the top of the stack thereon is substantially in engagement with the bottom of the first said stack plate immediately below and in register with the first said stack and the said second stack plate in its last said position being engageable with one of the said carrying means so that upon the transverse withdrawal of the first said stack plate the two stacks are united and are moved upward by the said second stack plate, a member positioned to contact the top of the upper stack near the front thereof and vertically movable upward and downward in accordance with variations in the level of the top of the stack, and a vertical bar connected with the said member for vertical movement relatively thereto which bar has a normal lower position and is engageable with the front of the stack to prevent transverse movement of the stack with the upper plate when the latter is withdrawn, the said bar being positioned for engagement with the said upper plate as it approaches its uppermost position so as to be moved upward thereby relatively to the said member and above its said normal lower position.

8. In a stack mechanism for sheets or book components, the combination of a plurality of spaced carrying means arranged in alternately disposed groups at dilferent levels, two similar superposed stack plates adapted to support two superposed stacks of similar sheets or components, the said plates being engageable one with a carrying means in one group and the other with a carrying means in the second group and each uppermost plate being adapted for manual transverse withdrawal from its carrying means and from beneath the stack thereon and for placement below the other stack plate in position for engagement by another carrying means in the same group, means for slowly moving all of the carrying means simultaneously in the direction to eifect upward movement of the'stack plates engaged therewith, and means operable prior to the withdrawal of the initially upper plate for moving the carrying means of the second groupr'elatively to those of the first group to move the initially lower stack plate upward relatively to the initially upper stack plate to a position wherein the top of the initially lower stack is substantially in engagement with the bottom of the initially upper stack plate so that upon the said withdrawal of the initially upper stack plate the two stacks are united and are moved upward by the initially lower stack plate which is then the upper stack plate.

9. A stack mechanism as set forth in claim 8, characterized by'two endless chains with one chain actuating the carrying means of one group and with the other chain actuating the carrying means of the other group.

10. A stack mechanism as set forth in claim 8, characterized by two endless chains with one chain actuating the'carrying means of one group and with the other chain actuating the carrying means of the other group, and further characterized by means for moving one chain independently of the other to move the initially lower plate upward relatively to the initially upper plate.

11. In a stack mechanism for sheets or book components, the combination of a plurality of spaced carrying t V 13 means arranged in alternately disposed groups at different levels, two similar superposed stack plates adapted to support two superposed stacks of similar sheets or compoiieiits, the said plates being engageable one with a carryin'g means in one group and the other with a carrying means in the second group and each uppermost plate being adapted for manual transverse withdrawal from its carrying means and from beneath the stack thereon and for placement below the other stack plate in position for engagement 'by another carrying means in the same group, means for slowly moving all of the carrying means simultaneously in the direction to effect upward movement of the stack plates engaged therewith, regulating means cooperating with the top of the upper stack for controlling the operation of the said moving mechanism 'so as to maintain the top of the said stack substantially at a predetermined level as successive sheets or components are withdrawn therefrom, and means operable prior to the withdrawal of the intially upper plate for moving the carrying means of the second group rela tively to those of the first group to move the initially lower stack plate upward relatively to the initially upper stack plate to a position wherein the top of the initially lower stack is substantially in engagement with the bottom of the initially upper stack plate so that upon the said withdrawal of the inihally uppe'r stack plate the two stacks are united and are moved upward by the initially lower stack plate under the control of the said regulating means byreas'on of its cooperation with the top of the united stack. V

12. In a stack mechanism for sheets or book components, the combination of a plurality of spaced carrying means arranged in alternately disposed groups at different revels, two similar superposed stack plates adapted to support two superposed stacks of similar sheets or components, the said plates being engageable one with a carrying means in one group and the other with a carrying means in the second group and eachuppermost plate being adapted for manual transverse withdrawal from its carrying means and ffom beneath the stack thereon and for placement below the other sta clgplate in position for engagementby another carrying meansin the same gi h' ns tor slowly moving all of the carrying means simultaneously'in the direction to effect upward movement of the'stack plates engaged therewith, and two manually controlled means operable prior to the withdrawal of the upper plate for rapidly moving the 'carrying means of either group relatively to those .of the other group to move the lower stack plate upward relatively to the upper stack plate to a position wherein the top of the lower stackis substantially in engagement with thebottom of the upper stack plate so that upon the said withdrawal of the upper stack plate the two stacks are uniteda'nd are moved upward by the lower stack plate.

1 3 In a stack mechanism for sheets or book components, the combination of a plurality of spaced carryin'g means arranged in alternately disposed groups at difterent levels, two similar superposed stack plates adapted to support two superposed stacks of similar sheets or components, the said plates being engageable one with a carrying means in one group and the other with a carrying means in the second group 'and each uppermost plate being adapted for manual transverse withdrawal from its carrying means and from beneath the stack thereonand for placement below the other stack plate in position for engagement by another carrying means in the same group, means for slowly moving all of the carrying meanss'imnltaneonsly in the direction to efiect upward movement of the stack plates engaged therewith, means regulated the position of the top of the stack on theupper platelfor oontrolling the movement of the means for moving the carrying means so as to maintain the top of the stack substantially at a predetermined level as successive sheets or components are withdrawn prior to the withdrawal of the upper plate for rapidly moving the carrying means of either group relatively to those of the other group to move the lower stack plate upward relatively to the upper stack plate to a position wherein the top of the lower stack is substantially in engagement with the bottom of the upper stack plate so that upon the said withdrawal of the upper stack plate the two stacks are united and are moved upward by the lower stack plate under the control of the said means regulated by the position of the top of the stack.

14. In a stack mechanism for sheets or book components, the combination of a plurality of spaced pairs of carriers arranged in alternately disposed groups at different levels, two similar superposed stack plates adapted to support two superposed stacks of similar sheets or components, the said plates being engageable one with a pair of carriers in one group and the other with a pair of carriers in the second group and each plate when uppermost being adapted for manual transverse withdrawal from its pair of carriers and from beneath the stack thereon and for placement below the other stack plate in position for engagement by another pair of carriers in the same group, means for slowly moving all of the carrying means simultaneously in the direction to effect upward movement of the stack plates engaged therewith, and means operable prior to the Withdrawal of the initially upper plate for rapidly moving the pairs of carriers of the second group relatively to those of the first group to move the initially lower stack plate upward relatively to the initially upper stack plate to a position wherein the top of the initially lower stack is substantially in engagementwith the bottom of the initially upper stack plate so that upon the said withdrawal of the initially upper stack plate the two stacks are united and are moved upward by the initially lower stack plate which is thenthe upper stack plate.

15. A stack mechanism as set forth in claim 14, characteri'zed by a support separate from the carrying means for engaging the said second stack plate in its lowermost position to hold it during the placement of a stack thereon prior to its said rapid upward movement.

In a stack mechanism for sheets or book components, the combination of a plurality of spaced pairs of carriers arranged in alternately disposed groups at different levels, two similar superposed stack plates adapted to support two superposed stacks of similar sheets or components, the said plates being engageable one a pair of carriers in one group and the other with a pair of carriers in the second group and each plate when uppermost being adapted for manual transverse withdrawal from its pair of carriers and from beneath the stack thereon and for placement belowthe other stack plate in position for engagement by another pair of carriers in the same group, means for slowly moving all of the carrying means simultaneously in the direction to efiect upward movement of the stack plates engaged therewith, regulating means cooperating with the top of the stack on the upper plate for controlling the movement of the means for moving the pairs of carriers so as to maintain the top of the stack substantially at a predeterruined level as successive sheets or components are withdrawn therefrom, and means operable prior to the withdrawal of the initially upper plate for rapidly moving the pairs of carriers of the second group relatively to those of thefirstgr'oup to move the initially lower stack plate upward relatively to the initially upper stack plate to a position wherein the top of the initially lower stack is substantially in engagement with the bottom of the initially upper stack plate so that upon the said withdrawal of the initially upper stack plate the two stacks'are united and are moved upward by the initially lower stack plate under the control of the said regulating means by reason of its cooperation with the top of the united stack.

17. A stack mechanism as set forth in claim 14, characterized by two pairs of-power driven endless chains with the two chains of each pair at opposite sides of the path of movement of the stack plates, the two chains of one pair being connected for movement in unison and actuating the pairs of carriers in one group and the two chains of the other pair being connected for movement in unison and actuating the pairs of carriers in the other group, and further characterized by manually controlled means for moving the chains of one pair relatively to those of the other pair so as to move the initially lower stack plate upward relatively to the initially upper stack plate.

18. A stack mechanism as set forth in claim 14, characterized by four pairs of power driven endless chains with the two chains of each pair at opposite sides of the path of movement of the stack plates, the four chains in two of the pairs being connected for movement in unison and actuating the pairs of carriers in one group and the four chains in the other two of the pairs being connected for movement in unison and actuating the pairs of carriers in the other group, and further characterized by manually controlled means for moving the chains of two of the connected pairs relatively to those of the other two of the connected pairs so as to move the initially lower stack plate relatively to the initially upper stack plate.

19. A stack mechanism as set forth in claim 14, characterized by four pairs of power driven endless chains with the two chains of each pair at opposite sides of the path of movement of the stack plates, the four chains in two of the pairs being connected for movement in unison and actuating the pairs of carriers in one group and the four chains in the other two of the pairs being connected for movement in unison and actuating the pairs of carriers in the other group, further characterized by manually controlled means for moving the chains of two of the connected pairs relatively to those of the other two of the connected pairs so as to move the initially lower stack plate relatively to the initially upper stack plate, and further characterized by transverse bars each connected with two chains and constituting the carriers.

20. In a stack mechanism for sheets or book components, the combination of a plurality of spaced pairs of carriers arranged in alternately disposed groups at different levels, two pairs of endless chains with the two chains of each pair connected for movement in unison, the two chains of one pair being connected with the pairs of carriers in one group and the two chains of the other pair being connected with the pairs of carriers in the other group, two power actuated driving means for the respective pairs of chains each including an element permitting the corresponding chains to be independently advanced, two similar superposed stack plates adapted to support two superposed stacks of similar sheets or components, the said plates being engageable one with a pair of carriers in one group and the other with a pair of carriers in the second group so that the plates are moved upward by the said pairs of carriers and each plate when uppermost being adapted for manual transverse Withdrawal from its pair of carriers and fron beneath the stack thereon and for placement below the other stack plate in position for engagement by another pair of carriers in the same group, and two manually controlled means operable prior to the withdrawal of the upper plate for rapidly advancing the chains of either pair relatively to the chains of the other pair to move the lower stack plate upward relatively to the upper stack plate to a position wherein the top of the lower stack is substantially in engagement with the bottom of the upper stack plate so that upon the said withdrawal of the upper stack plate the two stacks are united and are moved upward by the in the two manually controlled means for advancing the chains are hand wheels.

--22. In a stack mechanism for sheets or book components, the combination of a plurality of spacedpairs of carriers arranged in alternately disposed groups at difierent levels, two pairs of endless chains with the two chains of each pair connected for movement in unison, the .two chains of one pair being connected with the pairs of carriers in one group and the two chains of the other pair being connected with the pairs of carriers in the other group, two ratchet wheels operatively connected with the respective pairs of chains, two power actuated reciprocating pawls engaging the ratchet wheels for rotating them to move the chains, two similar superposed stack plates adapted to support two superposed stacks of similar sheets or components, the said plates being engageable one with a pair of carriers in one group and the other with apair of carriers in the second group so that the plates are moved upward by they said pairs of carriers and each plate when uppermost being adapted for manual transverse. withdrawal from its pair of carriers and from beneath the stack thereon and for placement below the other stack plate in position for engagement by another pair of carriers in the same group, and two manually operable hand wheels connected with the respective ratchet wheels for rapidly advancing the chains of either pair relatively to the chains of the other pair to move the lower stack plate upward relatively to the upper stack plate to a position wherein the top of the lower stack is substantially in engagement with the bottom of the upper stack plate so that upon the said withdrawal of theupper stack plate the two stacks are united and are moved upward by the lower stack plate.

23. In a stack mechanism forsheets or book components, the combination of a plurality of spaced carrying means arranged in alternately disposed groups at different levels, means for moving all of the carrying means successively upward, two similar superposed stack plates adapted to support two superposed stacks of similar sheets or components, the said plates being engageable one with a carrying means in one group and the other with a carrying means in the second group so that the plates are moved upward by the said carrying means and each plate when uppermost being adapted for manual transverse withdrawal from its carrying means and from beneath the stack thereon and for placement below the other stack plate in position for engagement by another carrying means in the same group, two manually controlled means operable prior to the withdrawal of the upper plate for rapidly moving the carrying means of either group relatively to those 'of the other group to move the lower stack plate upward relatively to the upper stack plate to a position wherein the top of the lower stack is substantially in engagement with the bottom of the upper stack plate so that upon the said withdrawal of the upper stack plate the two stacks are united and are moved upward by the lower stack plate, difierential markings on the two stack plates, and similar difierential markings on the two manually controlled means, the last said markings being so related to the first said markings as to indicate to the operator which manually controlled means is to be operated to move the particular plate which is then the lower plate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

